I don't think this is the case at all. "It's no trouble," I say. "I've a previous engagement myself."
"Really?" Ann asks. "Yes, I'm to see Miss Moore," I lie. Their mouths hang open as I tell them of my encounter. I'm enjoying their astonishment very much. "I thought I would ask her about the Order. So you see I couldn't possibly . . ."
"You can't go without us," Felicity protests.
"But you're going to your mother's club without me," I say. Felicity has nothing to say to this. "Are we to go to Regent Street to the shops, then?"
"No," Felicity answers. "We're going with you to see Miss Moore."
Ann pouts. "I thought we were to find me a new pair of gloves. It is only nine days until Christmas, after all. Besides, Miss Moore must surely hate us for what happened."
"She doesn't hate you," I say."She has forgiven us all. And she was distressed to hear about Pip."
"That settles it," Felicity says, slipping her other arm through mine."We shall pay a call on Miss Moore. And afterward, Gemma shall come with us for tea."
Ann balks. "But what about Franny? You know she tattles over the slightest infractions."
"Franny shall be no bother at all," Felicity says.
The sun is high, the day bright and crisp when we arrive at Miss Moore's modest lodging house on Baker Street. Franny, Mrs. Worthington's lady's maid, is all ears and eyes, ready to take note of any indiscretion on our parts so that she may dutifully report to Felicity's mother and Grandmama. Franny isn't much older than we are. It can't be much fun to trail us, reminded daily of another
sort of life, one denied her. If she's bitter about her lot, she wouldn't dare speak it aloud. But it is there, nonetheless, present in the tight line of her mouth, in the way she forces herself to look through us while seeing everything.
"I was to accompany you to the shops, miss," she says. "There's been a change of plans, Franny," Felicity says coolly. "Mother asked me to look in on a friend who has taken ill. It is important to perform acts of charity, don't you think?"
"She didn't mention it to me, miss."
"You know how things slip Mother's mind. She is so very busy."